To Eliminate Excuses
Gracious God,
There are many variables that affect productivity and personal development. When I fail to make progress or get traction, or when goals go unmet, there are often legitimate and valid reasons. However, it’s also easy and convenient for me to blame others or to make excuses. And, I can often craft excuses so well, that when it comes to underachieving or falling short, I have a hard time distinguishing the legitimate reasons from the excuses.
Help me know myself better, so that I am aware of when I am mentally preparing excuses – whether those excuses are intended to assuage others or myself when I know I am falling short. Lead me to take ownership for my own failures so that I can grow from them, rather than excuse them and continue failing in the future in the same ways. Use others to call me out when I need it, but also to encourage me if I’m being too hard on myself. Instill in me the desire to eliminate excuses from my life and be genuine when I fall short or fail, so that I lean more on you and your grace, while also maturing through my mistakes.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.